Tag Archives: Crossroads Academy

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Guys… I am so excited to share the cover for Bloodline with you today! *Squee!*

Okay, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, can I just tell you how much I love the cover for Bloodline? As the third and final book in the Crossroads Academy series, I knew it had to be something special. Something that would just jump off the screen and grab you, because, you know, that’s totally Katia’s style.

And you know what? Rachel, the creative genius at Parajunkee Design, nailed it! I am in LOVE with this cover.

In fact, I liked it so much I asked her to give Crossroads a new look too! It’s fresh, bold and so Katia. I hope you guys love it as much as I do!

I know what you’re thinking… It’s about freaking time! Fair enough. This book has been a long time coming and it’s hard for me to say which is greater, my guilt over the long wait (my family has taken to calling me Jen R.R. Martin – If you’re a GOT fan, you’ll get it) or my excitement to finally share Bloodline with the world!

Oh, get to the point already?

Bloodline will be released January 27th, 2015 and I hope it’s everything you’ve come to expect from Crossroads Academy!

I had so much fun writing this book, but I have to be honest, I’m sorry to see Katia’s story end. She’s a character who dropped into my world and took over with late nights, lots of caffeine, and a whole lot of kick ass attitude. Simply put, she changed my life.

But she’s not the only one.

I’ve been blessed with amazing friends, amazing family, and amazing fans! Your kind words and support over the last couple of years have made all of the difference in my journey, and in Katia’s. The last two years have been busy and my family has faced some significant changes, welcoming new life into the world (Love you Baby Todd!) and celebrating the lives of those who can no longer be here with us (We miss you Dad & Pap Pap!). This book would not be possible without the love and support of my family and friends who put up with my endless plot questions and revisions and who never stopped believing (Journey, anyone?) in me or my dreams! Nor would it be possible without fans like you who’ve kept me on my toes, driving me to finish Katia’s story, and providing words of encouragement along the way. Your endless patience has always been top of mind and appreciated more than you can possibly know!

So to honor the fans and say THANK YOU the best way I know how, I’m giving away ARC ebooks of Bloodline to the first 50 readers who email, message, Tweet, or Facebook me!

I’ve got a special treat for you today! While every post I’ve shared for Red Dawn is special in its own way, today is extra special because it’s also my birthday!

In light of this momentous occasion (Okay, it may only be momentous to me, but I’m going with it!) I’d like to share some of my favorite one liners from Red Dawn, which I’ve aptly dubbed, Witty One Liners! After all, what’s YA without a little snark?

Enjoy!

Witty One Liners

“And here I thought secret romances were supposed to be so much hotter.”

“You know, if you’re going to act like a drill sergeant, you might want to invest in a pair of combat boots because the zebra print stilettos are a little misleading.”

“I don’t kiss losers.”

“Maybe her willingness to provide regular whorgasms free of charge is enough to make him look the other way.”

“I’d much rather be punching something, but to each his own.”

“Even nerds get busy sometimes.”

“I must have died and gone to hell, because I could have sworn you just asked me for help.”

“Touch me again and you’ll wake up a lefty.”

“For the record, I don’t think the ‘no tell motel’ is quite what Katia had in mind when she said ‘anything’.”

“Funny how no one calls when I’m at school behaving myself.”

“At some point you’ve got to talk about boundaries, feelings, and… positions.”

“That chick is like a merry-go-round! Everyone gets a freaking turn!”

If you enjoyed Witty One Liners, you may want to check out @CAConfessions, the anonymous online confessional for Crossroads Academy students to dish on their deepest, darkest secrets!

Also, be sure to check out the Crossroads Academy Street Team (aka. Crossroads Academy Coven) for your chance to win a Kindle Fire or a Crossroads Academy prize pack!

I am SO excited about the release of Red Dawn that Crossroads Academy is going on tour again (courtesy of PJV Blog Tours). And this time it’s going to be even bigger and better!

Guest posts, interviews, twitter party, giveaways! There will be all kinds of fun stuff… So mark your calendars and put Red Dawn on your TBR list! It’s going to be an EPICtour!

Crossroads will be taking over the blogosphere August 20th – September 14th! Tour stops below!

Oh, you want more? How about a chance to win a Kindle Fire? Or maybe a Crossroads Academy prize pack? There will be lots of chances to win! It’s so easy! Be sure to visit each of the tour stops and join the Street Team — Crossroads Academy Coven!

For those of you who might have missed it, below is an interview I gave at We Fancy Books last January. This was one of my fav’s! Thanks again to Marz for the great interview!

1. Who inspired you to write Crossroads?

Lol. The long answer or the short answer? The truth is that I’ve always loved writing and have dreamed of being a published author since I began tearing through the works of Christopher Pike in middle school. It’s a dream that’s always stayed with me although it sometimes felt unattainable due to the competitive nature of the industry. When my father was diagnosed with cancer last winter, it really put things in perspective. I decided it was time to take a chance and finish a manuscript that I’d been working on for some time. I didn’t want to look back and have any regrets or doubts and I figured that if my father could attack his prognosis with complete gusto, that I could do the same with my writing. He’s been one of my biggest supporters throughout the process and it’s his encouragement that has given me the confidence to chase my dream.

2. What was the book that most influenced your life — and why?

If I have to choose a single book, I’m going to have to say Twilight. I’ve read a lot of wonderful books – books that are more intellectually stimulating and even those that have better writing – but it was finding Twilight on my little sisters’ bookshelf that brought me back to the YA genre (which I’d so happily left behind when I got to college, instead electing to read what I thought were more age appropriate books) and reignited my love for all things paranormal. Twilight reminded me how much I loved YA literature and how heavily it influenced me growing up. It was also a welcome reminder that YA books weren’t just for teens!

3. Is there a particular character that you see yourself into?

This is a tough one for me. I can’t say that Katia is modeled after me, but it’s fair to say that I strive to be as strong and independent as I’ve written her. I have always favored strong heroines personally and if any character I create might be a role model for an adolescent, I’d certainly want the character to be worthy, although admittedly flawed. After all, we all have flaws don’t we? It’s part of what makes us human and ultimately the characters we love so endearing.

4. Would you like to be a Vampire if given a chance?

I don’t think so. Sure it would be great to have the longevity, strength and speed of a vampire, but I’m a pretty picky eater so I’m not sure I could stomach the liquid diet. It’s entirely possible I’d starve which doesn’t exactly sound like an awesome way to go.

5. How do you handle criticism?

I wear my heart (and my emotions) on my sleeve, but criticism is part of the learning process and I like to think I can handle feedback even when it’s less than glowing. It probably sounds a little trite, but I have to look at it as an opportunity. I have a couple of great critics who are close to me, but nothing beats the feedback of an unbiased reader who’s not worried about hurting my feelings and who’s opinion will ultimately make me a stronger writer.

6. Do you have a specific writing style?

Truth be told, I suspect my writing style could probably use a bit more discipline. Today, it goes something like this: Daydream, fantasize, let my imagination run rampant. Outline, outline, outline. Create character profiles. Make notes (any place is good – a napkin, my phone, the back of a receipt, whatever is handy). Research. Outline some more. Make more notes. Write, revise, edit, Write, revise, edit. Edit. Edit. Edit.

In case you can’t tell, I put a great deal of emphasis on editing and revisions. In addition to partnering with a professional editor, I have three amazing critics who were happy to comb through each draft of the manuscript and provide feedback on the characters, the plot, and well, pretty much anything they loved, hated or couldn’t wait to read more about!

7. How did you come up with the title?

The title Crossroads actually came quite easily as it’s the name of Katia’s school and the geographic area where it’s located. The story is set at Crossroads Academy in the Green Mountains, which is actually known as the Crossroads of Vermont to locals. It was a natural fit given the location and the deeper symbolism within the story line. Recently another book was released with the same title and I actually flirted briefly with the idea of changing it, but in the end I was too attached and decided to stand firm with my original choice.

8. Can you share a little of your current work with us?

I am actually working on the second book of theCrossroads Academy series and while I think fans of Crossroads will be pleased with the latest installation in the trilogy, I’m not ready to give any spoilers yet! I hope to have the book published summer 2012 though so the good news is that you won’t have to wait long to get your hands on a copy!

9. When and why did you begin writing?

Believe it or not, I actually wrote my first book in 7th grade. It was a children’s book inspired by Earth Day and a very ambitious teacher who wanted each of her students to craft an environmentally driven tale. Mine was about sea turtles, which I’ve always loved, and while my teacher raved about it and researched publication, the book is safely tucked away in storage now. It was her encouragement that actually got me thinking about writing as a career. I was already an avid reader (some might say bookworm), but I hadn’t considered yet that I might actually someday write my own young adult novels. So, although the sea turtles didn’t catch the eye of the publishing world, they definitely sparked my love of writing. As I got older the stories I wrote fell more in line with the works of R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike and L.J. Smith as they were my authors of choice throughout high school.

10. Is there a special research you did to write the novel? Mind telling us about it?

Although I’ve always been a fan of horror movies and paranormal literature, I still felt it was important to do my homework before writing Crossroads. I researched vampire lore extensively, which quite frankly is overwhelming, but I also had to do considerable research on the setting since I’ve never actually been toVermont. I knew the school had to be hidden away somewhere rural and while Vermont seemed ideal, I really didn’t know much about the geography or anything else aside from the fact that it boasts excellent skiing. So I started with maps in order to identify the right location and moved onto researching individual towns likeRutlandto get a better understanding of local culture. As it turns out,Rutlandhas quite a bit to offer, which I hope I’ve captured in the story. Every place and event in Crossroads was actually inspired by the town itself which has quite a rich history.

Hey there, beautiful. Haven’t seen you around here before. New at Crossroads?

I figured as much. There’s no way I’d forget a face like yours. What? Tall, dark, and handsome doesn’t get it done, huh? Guess I’ll have to try a little harder to impress you with my boyish charm and stunning good looks. Alright, how about this? I’m a Sagittarius, I like long walks on the beach, and I enjoy romantic candlelight feedings.

Wait! Don’t go. I’m just teasing. I can see that approach isn’t going to work though. You’re not like the other girls here. Most of them are rather superficial… and mind-numbingly boring. What? Is there a nice way of saying they’re vapid, shallow, social mongers? No? Well, the truth hurts, doesn’t it? Besides, you can’t blame the kids. Byproducts of their elitist parents if they’re anything like mine. We may have some of the oldest and purest bloodlines in the world at Crossroads, but it doesn’t come without a price.

You on the other hand, well, I’d be willing to bet you’re different. Don’t look so skeptical. I have a feeling about you and my instincts are quite good. I don’t want to brag, but I’m hardly ever wrong.

Nikolai Petrov, by the way. And you are? Come on. Don’t be shy. I won’t bite. Not today, anyway. We’re just getting to know one another after all.

The real me? I’m only at Crossroads because it’s the furthest I can get from my parents and their conniving political aspirations. If I never saw them again, it might be too soon. I have a sister I love more than life itself and I’d do anything for her. My real passion is martial arts and I can’t wait to see the look on my parents faces when they find out I want to serve the Elder’s Council, not become a member. No way in hell am I going to spend my life being a political pawn. My future lies with the Linkuri brotherhood. I was born to hunt, to punish, to deal in justice. And if I get paid to kick a little ass in the process? I’ll consider it a bonus. After all, I’ve got a wicked spinning back kick.

Relax. I may like to throw down, but I prefer to limit my training to the gym. I’m actually a teaching assistant in a couple of the MMA and self-defense classes. Surprised? I’m actually a pretty decent guy.

Look, I get it. You probably think my friends are a bunch of tools and I don’t blame you. But if you knew them like I do, you might actually like them. They’re not so bad. And they’re loyal which is a trait I value above all else.

Come on. That’s got to be enough to get us on a first name basis? Might as well tell me. It’s a small school and I’ll figure it out eventually. Besides, I’m not one to give up easily.

In keeping with the ‘Best of’ theme from the Crossroads blog tour last January, I’d like to share a post that was one of my favorites! Fortunately, Friday the 13th won’t roll around again until September 2013!

Friggatriskaidekaphobia or Paraskevidekatriaphobics. No matter what you call it (assuming you can pronounce either of these words because I sure can’t!), the irrational fear of Friday the 13th is no myth. Millions of people will change their behavior today due to superstition. There will be fewer air travelers, fewer road trips, and probably a few folks who called in sick to avoid tempting fate.

The good news? This infamous and fearsome day occurs three times this year which is the highest number possible. Oh, wait. That’s not good news? Only if you’re superstitious, which I’m not– usually. I’ve always been told it’s a day of bad luck, but those superstitious warnings are rarely followed by an explanation so I decided to do some research. And guess what? Just like any urban legend there are numerous possible origins for the irrational fear of the 13th (most of them inconclusive since the fear of the 13th arose during the 19th century).

Still, some persist that there were earlier indications that the number 13 was unlucky. In Christianity, it’s believed there were 13 guests at the last supper which led to betrayal. Norse mythology has a similar tale where a 13th (and evil) Loki god crashed a dinner party leading to the death of a favored and benevolent god. Dig a little deeper and I’m sure we could find countless examples of misfortune and 13 throughout history.

Face it, we’re superstitious creatures by nature and quite a few of us believe the number 13 is inherently unlucky (or maybe even rooted in evil). As a result, the devil’s dozen is frequently omitted in everyday ventures.

Ever stayed on the 13th floor of a hotel? No? That’s because many buildings skip the 13th floor.

It’s bad luck to have a dinner party with 13 guests. Unless one of them has a death wish.

As for me, I think I’ll being spending my Friday night curled up on the couch with a big bucket of popcorn and a scary movie or two. Now that seems fitting! The question is… what to watch?

Here are a couple of my all-time favorites. Post yours below! Even if I can’t get it tonight, I’m always looking for new and different horror flicks. I’ve seen quite a few, but with such a popular genre, I’m surely missing some amazing cinematography… or least a few good screams!

So you stumbled across Crossroads Academy on the web and now you’re dying to find out more? You think it just might be the school for you? An escape from annoying parents, backstabbing friends, and boring public school teachers you’d just as soon forget? A school graced with mystery, intrigue, and prestige? Well, think again. You wouldn’t last a day. In fact, you probably wouldn’t even get in.

Here’s the thing, if you don’t already know about Crossroads, they won’t be interested in you. No offense. Admission is pretty much by invitation only and even then, it is only offered to the most elite. It’s not your grades, your social class, or your looks that are holding you back– It’s your bloodline. Seriously, if you’re lucky, they might let you scrub the floors. Yeah, Crossroads is that kind of place.

But don’t feel bad. You aren’t missing much. To be honest, this place kind of blows. Sure the school looks amazing with its lush grounds and old stone façade, but inside? Inside it’s a breeding ground for social leeches, entitlement, and all the same cliquish drama you were probably hoping to leave behind. Bitchy girls abound and with a student body of only a few hundred, well, let’s just say it can be difficult to stay out of trouble.

Plus, there are loads of rules. No hunting (at all!), strict curfews (10pm – childish, right?), and limited off campus privileges (assuming you’re lucky enough to even have them). Oh, and I forgot to mention Headmaster Prick. I mean, Pratt. Get into trouble and you’ll be lucky to escape his office with work detail, which is far better than listening to one of his spastic, self-indulgent speeches.

To be fair though, it’s not all bad. There’s a kickass gym here with a weapons cache the likes of which I’ve been dreaming of for months. And some of the teachers and counselors are pretty cool. Oh, and there a lot of hot guys and lavish parties, if you’re lame enough to be into that sort of thing.

Anyway, you might as well forget about Crossroads Academy unless one of these little darlings shows up in your mailbox. And even then, I’d consider it carefully if I were you.

This may be a bit anti-climatic at this point since some very wonderful bloggers are blasting it all over the blogosphere, but for those of you who haven’t seen it yet…

*drumroll please*

Red Dawn (Crossroads Academy 2)

Isn’t it lovely? To die for? Completely swoonworthy? Need I go on? Can you tell that I absolutely love this beautiful cover? Once again, Rachel at Parajunkee Design has surpassed my wildest expectations!

And now that it’s out there for the entire world to see, I’m even more excited about the upcoming blog tour! Squee! *bounces up and down on big red (aka. my couch)*

Put it on your calendar because it’s going to be EPIC! The best part? Meeting new book lovers, talking about vamps, and sharing a little bit of Red Dawn with you guys! So if you haven’t had a chance to read Crossroads yet, well, you should probably get on that! 😉 Or at least enter one of my giveaways for a chance to win a copy!

Announcing the Official Red Dawn Blog Tour!

You didn’t think I was going to just stop at a cover reveal extravaganza, did you? Go big or go home, right? I am SO excited about the release of Red Dawn that Crossroads Academy is going on tour again (courtesy of PJV Blog Tours!). And this time it’s going to be even biggerand better!

Guest posts, interviews, twitter party, giveaways! There will be all kinds of fun stuff… So mark your calendars and put Red Dawn on your TBR list! It’s going to be an EPIC tour!

Crossroads will be taking over the blogosphere August 20th – September 14th! Tour stops to follow so be sure to check back soon!

Cover Reveal: July 24th- 12pm CST!

Check out these amazing blogs for a first look at Red Dawn (Crossroads Academy 2)!

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J.J. Bonds is an independent author who writes Young Adult Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy. She is the author of the bestselling Crossroads Academy series. J.J. lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where her obsession with all things paranormal keeps life interesting. She lives with her husband, daughter, and one rambunctious K9. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, and zombies. Sings off-key.